Microelectrode array for electrical characterization of neuronal and muscular networks

微电极阵列（MEA）是电生理学中用于评估生物电特性（例如，连接，突触活动）的神经和肌肉网络。它提供了前所未有的高分辨率记录局部场电位的能力-自发的和刺激的-在不同样品类型的细胞群体中（例如，细胞培养、脑切片、类器官、分离的器官和小动物体内）。该团队将利用这种强大的技术：i）解剖环境污染物神经毒性的细胞机制，ii）评估神经肌肉活动和行为之间的关系，iii）推进消化中肠神经系统的理解，iv）推进视觉运动功能中突触通信和可塑性的知识。MEA的使用将消除途径分析和环境-基因-表型作图中的瓶颈，这是申请人研究计划的关键组成部分。还迫切需要这些设备来加强对多学科HQP的电生理学培训，使他们在生物医学科学，药理学，毒理学和生物技术方面具有高度抢手和可转移的技能。

Microelectrode array (MEA) is an emerging technology in electrophysiology for assessing the bioelectrical properties (e.g., connectivity, synaptic activity) of neuronal and muscular networks. It offers unprecedented capacity for high resolution recording of local field potential - both spontaneous and stimulated - in cell populations in diverse sample types (e.g., cell culture, brain slice, organoids, isolated organs, and small animals in vivo). The team will employ this powerful technology to: i) dissect cellular mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of environmental contaminants, ii) assess relationship between neuromuscular activity and behavior, iii) advance understanding of the enteric nervous system in digestion, and iv) advance knowledge of synaptic communication and plasticity in visual-motor function. The use of MEA will remove bottlenecks in pathway analysis and environment-gene-phenotype mapping, the key components of the applicants' research programs. The equipment is also needed urgently to enhance training of a diverse group of multidisciplinary HQPs in electrophysiology, preparing them with highly sought-after and transferable skillsets in biomedical sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, and biotechnology.